Former Fire Chief Lied About Identity

Eddie Velarde

From kob.com - It's a question almost anyone can answer without a second thought. "When is your birthday?" But KOB Eyewitness News 4 has learned one northern New Mexico Fire Chief is having trouble answering when he was born. A 4 On Your Side investigation has found former Fire Chief Eddie Velarde may have lied to the state, Rio Arriba County and sheriff's deputies about his date of birth, social security number and criminal background. Questions about Velarde's personal information first arose during his arrest at the Crazy Horse fire in March of 2010.  According to a police report, Velarde had ordered his men to clear out while the fire was still burning and yelled, "let it all burn," during an argument over who was in control of the scene.  The reporting officer wrote that when Velarde was arrested he provided investigators the wrong social security number and the wrong date of birth. Eventually a charge of concealing identity was also added but an Espanola Judge dismissed the case. Documents also show last year, Velarde was under investigation by the state health department for providing the same social security number but a different date of birth on his renewal application for an EMS license. Velarde also marked "No" on a portion of the application asking about felony convictions. Court records show Velarde has been convicted of two felonies.  More News New Mexico

Former Fire Chief Lied About Identity